Physiological Theories of Crime

Cesare Lombroso

Father of modern criminology
1876
Atavistic features

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Was Lombroso Scienitific in his Approach?

Yes, his methods are still used today
First criminal profiler

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Charles Darwin's 'Origin of the Species'

Lombroso read the theory
He assumed that criminals were a different/separate species
Between modern and primitive humans

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Born Criminal

Determined by physical shape of their face
Inherited
Had primitive/atavistic features
Genetically inherited characteristics infleunced whether you became a criminal or not

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Exampls of Atavistic Features

Large jaws
Highe cheek bones
Large ears
Extra *******
Extra toes
Extra fingers
Insensitivity to pain
Criminal slang
Having tattoos
Being unemployed

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How did he Collect Data for his Theory?

Collected data from over four hundred autopsies
Over six thousand criminals analysed who were alived
Conducted on twenty thousand inmates of prisons all over Europe
Considered outward signs of madness
Signs of atavism throwbacks to earlier human beings wh

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Murderer

Cold, glassy, blood-shot eyes
Curly, abundant hair
Strong jaws
Long ears
Thin lips

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Sexual Offender

Glinting eyes
Strong jaws
Thick lips
Lots of hair
Projecting ears

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Lombroso Examinations

Examined facial and cranial features of 383 executed or deceased
3839 living criminals
4222 criminals in total
40% of all criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics

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China Data

Facial features do suggest criminality
1856 Chinese men (half convicts)
Added to artificial intelligence programme
Identified 83% of criminals with only 6% incorrectly indentified

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Female Offenders

Fewer female criminals
Did not show as many physical anomalies as male offenders
Women are biologically less developed than men so are closer to the primitive race
Skulls and skeletons wouldn't suffer as many changes as men even if they lived for the same

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Example of Atavistic Features of a Female Offender

Most representative were prostitutes
Smaller cranial capacity
Obese
Shorter
Dark haired
Rarely born 'ugly' or presented with 'wrinkles'

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William Sheldon

1942
Linked crime to a person's physical attributes
Studied over 4000 images of men from the front, side, and back
Suggest there was there somatypes
Linked body type with personality

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Seldon Study

Correlation study of 200 boys
A higher number of disproportionately mesomorphic boys were prone to delinquency
Thousand of photographs rate 1-7 for mesomorphic build
College students and delinquents compared
Delinquents had higher mesomorphic ratings (4.

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Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck 1950s

800 delinquents compared to a matched sample of non-delinquents
Delinquents more likely to be mesomorphs
Tough body was needed to gain acceptance and/or survive on the street

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Endomorphic Body Shape

Wide hips
Narrow shoulders
Pear shaped
Lot of fat spread across the body - upperarms and thighs
Quite slim ankles and wrists - accentuate the other fatter parts

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Endomorphic Personality

Sociable
Fun-loving
Love food
Tolerant
Even-tempered
Good humoured
Relaxed
Love comfort
Need affection

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Ectomorph Body Shape

Narrow shoulders and hips
Thin and narrow face
High forehead
Thin and narrow chest and abdomen
Thin legs and arms
Very little body fat

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Ectomorph Personality

Self-conscious
Private
Introverted
Inhibited
Socially anxious
Artisitic
Intense
Emotionally restricted
Thoughtful

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Mesomorph Body Shape

Large head
Broad shoulders
Narrow waist
Wedge shape
Muscular body
Strong forearms and thighs
Very little body fat

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Mesomorph Personality

Adventurous
Courageous
Indifferent to what others think or want
Assertive/bold
Zest for physical activity
Competitive
Desire for power/dominance
Love of risk/chance

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Sheldon Quote

'The muscular build of the mesomorphs made them more self-assertive and more likely to engage in criminal activity then thin, self-conscious ectomorphs or fat sociable, comfort loving endomorphs'
'The mesomorph's personality makes him more likely to engag

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Physiological Theories of Crime

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